Google

April 15, 2015: European Commission Issues Statement of Objections

The European Commission has issued a Statement of Objections against Google alleging that Google has abused its dominant position by systematically favoring its own services within search results pages in violation of EU antitrust rules. While this action does not directly impact photographers, in Memo 15-4781 the Commission clarifies that this action is without prejudice to any of its other ongoing formal antitrust investigations of Google including concerns regarding the copying images and other third-party content. The ASMP will continue to monitor this action.

April 14, 2015: Google May Face Antitrust Accusations in Europe

According to The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, the European Union will formally accuse Google of illegally abusing its role as the dominant search engine in Europe. This move could potentially force Google to pay significant fines and change its fundamental business model. The Financial Times article asserts that Google will be accused of "diverting traffic from rivals to favor its own services" and that a second formal investigation into Google's Android operating system for smartphones will be launched simultaneously. Google is also under scrutiny in France, where the senate is considering a bill that could require Google to provide links to other search engines on its home page and disclose general principles behind its ranking algorithm to users.

The Initiative for a Competitive Online Marketplace (ICOMP), of which ASMP is a member, has stated, "If the [Financial Times] report that Google is to be served with a Statement of Objections by the European Commission: “Europe to accuse Google of illegally abusing its dominance”, is accurate, then this is a very significant development. A Statement of Objections represents a formal finding by the Commission that Google is dominant and that its actions have caused harm to businesses and consumers in Europe. We await formal confirmation from the Commission, but if confirmed this is an important step towards a successful return to a fair and competitive online marketplace that will be welcomed by our members.

ASMP's Executive Director Tom Kennedy, adds "Fans of the digital content delivery platforms developed in the past two decades would say they have democratized the playing field between individual creators and the large publishers who historically dictated terms in the operating paradigm for professional photographers. Detractors might say that, in fact, the creation of these platforms has simply shifted power from large publishers to technology companies, with even more pernicious impacts on individual creators. ASMP's interests are simply to ensure that individual visual creators are not trampled by unfair play by large companies who have had a role in creating the digital platforms that now are so central to media publishing."

ASMP will continue to monitor these investigations and update this page as new information comes to light.

September 2014: Google and Photographers Settle

The group of photographers, visual artists and affiliated associations that filed a class action against Google have reached a settlement, bringing to an end more than four years of litigation. It does not involve any admission of liability by Google. The agreement includes funding for the PLUS Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping rightsholders and users communicate clearly and efficiently about rights in works. Further terms of the agreement are confidential.

This settlement does not affect Google’s current litigation with the Authors Guild or otherwise address the underlying questions in that suit. Additional details are in the ASMP press release.

November 2013: Authors Guild Loses its Case

The Authors Guild suffered a loss in its effort to stop Google from scanning millions of copyrighted books. The US District Court in New York ruled that Google’s book-scanning project was a Fair Use of the material. For a recap of the case and discussion of the judge’s reasoning, see the Reuters or CNET stories online. The Authors Guild said that it would appeal the decision.

The ruling does not directly affect ASMP’s own lawsuit against Google.

November 2012: ASMP Asks Members' Help

The law firm that is handling ASMP's class action lawsuit against Google, Mishcon de Reya New York, is looking for information that will help establish how much money photographers stand to lose as a result of Google’s scanning project. This, in turn, will help generate the maximum financial recovery for the class of registered visual artists, of which you may be a member. Here's how you can help.

May 31, 2012: Court Upholds ASMP's Rights in Class Action

Judge Chin denied Google's motion to dismiss lawsuits by the American Society of Media Photographers and the Authors Guild. In his ruling, the Judge asserted that "given the sweeping and undiscriminating nature of Google's unauthorized copying, it would be unjust to require that each affected association member litigate his claim individually." Judge Chin also granted the Authors Guild's motion for class certification.

May 2012: Oral Arguments, Motions Being Considered

Oral argument was recently held in the class action lawsuits by creators of visual materials and text authors against Google. Google's motions to dismiss the association plaintiffs were considered in ASMP's suit as well as the Authors Guild suit, along with a motion to certify the lawsuit as a class action. The matter is currently in the hands of Judge Chin, and ASMP awaits his decision.

January 2012: Google Asks Court to Rule Against ASMP

Google has filed court documents challenging the standing of ASMP and the other associations as plaintiffs in the 2010 class action copyright infringement lawsuit filed over Google's unauthorized and massive scanning of library books and its related actions. Google argues that because of the requirements of copyright claims, plaintiffs must be actual rightsholders rather than associations acting on their behalf. It has also challenged the standing of the Authors Guild in its related lawsuit filed against Google in 2005. ASMP General Counsel Victor Perlman notes, "The class action copyright infringement suit against Google, Inc. was filed in conjunction with other trade associations and with individual named plaintiffs. Therefore, regardless of the ruling on the standing of trade associations, the status of the individual plaintiffs and their ability to proceed with the lawsuit will not be affected."

March 2011 Developments

On March 22, 2011, Judge Denny Chin ruled that a proposed settlement of the Authors Guild's suit against Google was not "fair, adequate, and reasonable." He also suggested some changes that would address his objections, and urged the parties to try again. The full text of his decision is available here.

ASMP and other visual-arts groups were not party to the Authors Guild suit, but filed a separate class action suit last April (see below). The March 22 ruling does not directly affect that suit.

April 2010: Photographers File Class Action Suit

On April 7, 2010, several industry associations and individuals filed a new class-action suit for copyright infringement against Google. The plaintiffs are the American Society of Media Photographers, the Graphic Artists Guild, the Picture Archive Council of America, the North American Nature Photography Association, Professional Photographers of America, and photographers Leif Skoogfors, Al Satterwhite, Morton Beebe, Ed Kashi and illustrators John Schmelzer and Simms Taback.

February 2010 Developments

Judge Denny Chin, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, held a Fairness Hearing on February 18. After a long day involving a huge number of objections, the Judge took the matter under advisement for further consideration and a later ruling. Among the objections filed, probably the most significant come from the U.S. Department of Justice, which finds the amended proposed settlement not to have resolved some of the fundamental problems presented by the earlier settlement agreement.

November 2009 Developments

ASMP received word that United States District Judge Denny Chin had denied the request to reconsider his previous dismissal of a motion to intervene. The denial states that if ASMP and its fellow litigants were allowed in now, it could negate up the "thousands of hours of discussion, compromise, and legal draftsmanship" that the parties have invested in the settlement process. He went on to say that "From the perspectives of fairness and efficiency, it makes more sense for (ASMP) to file their own lawsuit than to … delay this lawsuit." In light of this development, ASMP will examine options to determine the best course of action.

September 2009 Developments

ASMP, joined by the Graphic Artists Guild, the Picture Archive Council of America, and the North American Nature Photography Association, submitted testimony to the House Judiciary Committee in opposition to the proposed settlement of the consolidated copyright infringement actions against Google instituted by the Authors Guild, Inc. and the Association of American Publishers, Inc. The four professional associations joined forces, working together to oppose the settlement which excludes photographers and graphic artists from millions of dollars in payment, as well as from participation in future revenues to be generated by Google under the proposed settlement.

The same week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed its own objections, stating that there are both procedural and antitrust problems with the proposed settlement.

Earlier in the month, the same four groups, together with several prominent individual photographers, filed a legal brief stating objections to the proposed settlement. According to the filing, the Proposed Settlement purports to serve both the public interest and the interests of the class members as well as Google, but it would, in fact, serve the financial interests of only a select few while irrevocably damaging the interests of others. To read ASMP's press release, click here.

ASMP Position Statement

The recent proposed class action settlement between authors, publishers and Google is now subject to review by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) has significant concerns about the terms of this proposed settlement, the process that led to it, and the potential impact of its terms.

ASMP believes that the proposed settlement has far-reaching consequences for the work product and the livelihoods of its more than 6,000 member photographers, and that the settlement does not adequately protect their interests. Therefore, ASMP plans to submit its views to the Court on or before September 4, 2009, the new deadline for filing objections and other comments.

ASMP looks forward to the opportunity to fully present its concerns on behalf of its membership when the Court considers the fairness of this proposed settlement. Photographers should note that ASMP’s concerns are for photographers as a class and may not apply to any individual photographer. You should not equate ASMP’s concerns with advice as to how you should exercise your options in connection with the proposed settlement.

What is the Google Settlement?

Authors and publishers filed a class action lawsuit, claiming Google violated the copyrights of authors, publishers and other copyright holders ("Rightsholders") by scanning in-copyright Books and Inserts, and displaying excerpts, without permission. Google denies the claims. The parties have agreed to a settlement. This summary provides basic information about the settlement. "Books" and "Inserts" are described below.

The proposed settlement specifically excludes photography, with one significant exception. If your photographs were published in a book where the copyrights in both the book, itself, and your photographs belong to the same person, you should pay particularly close attention to the terms of the settlement, since you appear to be within the class covered by the proposed settlement.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

The settlement, if Court-approved, will authorize Google to scan in-copyright Books and Inserts in the United States, and maintain an electronic database of Books. For out-of-print Books and, if permitted by Rightsholders, in-print Books, Google will be able to sell access to individual Books and institutional subscriptions to the database, place advertisements on any page dedicated to a Book, and make other commercial uses of Books. At any time, Rightsholders can change instructions to Google regarding any of those uses. Through a Book Rights Registry ("Registry") established by the settlement, Google will pay Rightsholders 63% of all revenues from these uses.

Google also will pay $34.5 million to establish and fund the initial operations of the Registry and for notice and settlement administration costs, and at least $45 million for cash payments to Rightsholders of Books and Inserts that Google scans prior to the deadline for opting out of the settlement.

Who is Included?

The settlement class includes all persons worldwide who own a U.S. copyright interest in any Book or Insert. The meaning of "U.S. copyright interest" is broad. Wherever you are located, please read the full Notice to determine whether you are included in the settlement.

There are Two Sub-Classes.

The "Author Sub-Class" (authors of Books and other writings, and their heirs, successors and assigns), and

The "Publisher Sub-Class" (publishers of Books and periodicals, and their successors and assigns).

Persons Outside the United States: This settlement may affect you because it covers U.S. copyright interests in books published outside the United States. If you hold such an interest in a book or other material in a book, this settlement will bind you unless you timely opt out.

What Material is Covered?

"Books" include in-copyright written works, such as novels, textbooks, dissertations, and other writings, that were published or distributed in hard copy format on or before January 5, 2009. U.S. works must be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office to be included in the settlement. "Books" do not include periodicals, personal papers, sheet music, and public domain or government works.

"Inserts" include any text and other material, such as forewords, essays, poems, quotations, letters, song lyrics, children's Book illustrations, sheet music, charts, and graphs, if independently protected by U.S. copyright, contained in a Book, a government work or a public domain book published on or before January 5, 2009 and, if U.S. works, registered (alone or as part of another work) with the U.S. Copyright Office. Inserts do not include pictorial content (except for children's Book illustrations), or any public domain or government works.

What Should I Do?

Please read the full Notice, which is available at googlebooksettlement.com (site is no longer active). Decide whether you should:

Remain in the settlement. If you do so, you will be bound by the Court's rulings, including a release of your claims against Google.

Object to or comment on the settlement. The deadline for this action has passed.

Opt out of the settlement and keep your right to sue Google individually. The deadline for this action has passed.

File a claim for a cash payment (if you are eligible to do so). You must file your claim by March 31, 2011.

The Court has appointed Class Counsel to represent the two Sub-Classes. If the settlement is approved, Class Counsel for the Author Sub-Class will request attorneys' fees and expenses that Google has agreed to pay. You can also hire your own attorney at your own cost.

The Court will determine whether to approve the settlement at a Fairness Hearing on October 7, 2009. Get Complete Information, Including the Full Notice: